Best lens for product photography

shakilearl

shakilearl

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Shakil
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Hello,
I've purchased a Nikon D800e for some product photography work like small jewellery product, packshots etc. Can anyone advise whether or not it was a good purchase for such kind of photography work?
 
Seems to me your a total beginner? Thus I would say you have clearly just gone for the most expensive camera you can find? A camera 1/4 the price would have been more than adequate. As for a lens your looking at a macro lens for full frame.
 
shakilearl said:
Hello Phill,
Could you specify the name of the lens which I should purchase for small product photography?
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One example is*nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

May I ask the reason why you picked the full frame d800E
 
After doing some researches online I found this body very good, although a little bit expensive. Rather than changing cameras over and over again, I was thinking to make a one stop purchase which will stay for longer and won't have to upgrade it to another.

The lens that I am currently using is "Nikon Nikkor AF-S Telephoto zoom lens - 28 mm - 300". I tried to take small jewellery prouduct photo but it doesn't give sharper photos. Not sure if it is a problem with the lens or settings. I can upload an image which I've taken if you like to see.
 
Depth of field will be very shallow and the longer PC lenses like the Nikon 85/2.8 are made for this, and controlling perspective in-camera. They're not easy to use though.

There's also a big difference between a pack shot or maybe a necklace and a tiny stud earring, but I don't think you'd go far wrong with a Nikon 105 macro for starters.
 
Unless you like stacking lots and lots of shots, then a macro lens is no good. The 85mm tilt and shift is the way to go!

Perfect match for the D800 too!
 
Jan K. said:
Unless you like stacking lots and lots of shots, then a macro lens is no good. The 85mm tilt and shift is the way to go!

Perfect match for the D800 too!
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+1 and personally I would of gone for a cheaper body and got some good glass to go with it from the start rather than splashing out on a top body and being left with a mediocre lens
 
Yep you've got an expensive camera that produces massive files. Ypu may regret this but as you say you do have some growing room with this camera

If you are photographing small jewellery then a macro lens should be OK but you need to watch your depth of fields, as mentioned you may need to stack shots which will be time consuming work and likely hard for your PC unless its pretty high powered

I think yur biggest challenge will probably be lighting. However to save money I'm pretty sure a Nikon 50mm AFD f/1.8 at around £90 will be absolutely perfect - dont waste any more money. If you haven't already I would suggest you get a tripod and remote shutter release; these will help ensure you get sharp images and reduce risk of vibration impacting a sharp focus.

With hindsight you could have saved money asking here first what camera would suit you but never mind.

I hope you enjoy your new hobby
 
A much cheaper camera and some decent lighting equipment, flash(es), diffusers, tents etc. and a decent tripod would have made the most difference in my limited experience of photographing products.
 
When I did pack shot I generally stuck to a 50mm equivalent lens. However it was the lighting and your cameras metering that made the biggest difference, particularly with silver jewellery on white background.
 
What is wrong with the OP starting out with a good camera? Good luck to him :thumbs:

Now he's asking about the best lens and on another thread, about lighting. I don't see he's put a foot wrong so far.
 
HoppyUK said:
What is wrong with the OP starting out with a good camera? Good luck to him :thumbs:

Now he's asking about the best lens and on another thread, about lighting. I don't see he's put a foot wrong so far.
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.... if you have the money then ok but just seems a little over the top. Opening a photo mag and buying the most expensive thing wont make you a good photographer
 
barratt1988 said:
.... buying the most expensive thing wont make you a good photographer
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A good product photographer?
There's certainly nothing in the D800/PC-85 combo, that can keep him from becoming the greatest! :thumbs:

Of course a good tripod comes in too... :D
 
Jan K. said:
A good product photographer?
There's certainly nothing in the D800/PC-85 combo, that can keep him from becoming the greatest! :thumbs:

Of course a good tripod comes in too... :D
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Expensive gear doesnt make you any good :)
 
supersammy said:
Neither does it make you bad... So what's your point?
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My point was that its unnecessary that he brought that camera. Just because you can do something doesnt mean you should. And as for changing all the time as he mentioned thats crazy talk for the cost of the 800 you could have brought 3 very capable bodies. Its not about the gear its about the person and the need
 
shakilearl said:
Hello,
I've purchased a Nikon D800e for some product photography work like small jewellery product, packshots etc. Can anyone advise whether or not it was a good purchase for such kind of photography work?
Click to expand...

I at least can see your reasons for going for an expensive camera to start out with. Ok there is just that much more in learning how to get the best out of it, but that only comes with use and taking things step by step. yes it is way over what you actually need but a fantastic camera to work with.

A regards lens definately go for a prime lens not a telephoto one with a macro setting ,there are several out there to choose from , it depends on what distance you are from the object you wish to photograph.

AS others have said already get yourself a good steady tripod, as your going to be shooting indoors something like a Manfrotto 055XPROB and a manfrotto 804RC2 head will give you a rock solid support for your camera. Also a remote cord/cordless shutter release , I went for the Phottix WXD-188 which by now may have been superceeded by a newer mode,I am sure Phottix can advise. that one is both cord and cordless and takes AAA batteries .

lighting ? this may give you some ideas

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_t...w=photographic+light+box&_sacat=625&_from=R40

Good luck to you anyway
 
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Jayst84 said:
Horrible head for product in my experience. Mine broke and I replaced it with a geared head. Best thing ever, even more useful if shooting product where small adjustments are necessary.
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Why not try and advise/help the OP instead of finding fault on my posting. By the way that head is superb
 
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realspeed said:
Why not try and advise/help the OP instead of finding fault on my posting. By the way that head is superb
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I am advising the OP. Advising him (if he's looking for a tripod head as the thread is moving on from the initial question) to get one that is well suited to the task at hand.

I'm not finding fault with your posting, I'm offering up my experience of the equipment, as alluded to by my use of the term, "in my experience". To clarify, my experience in this case is about 5 years of shooting with an 055 xProB and 804RC2 head. The 804 is fine for a lot of uses, but certainly isn't designed for product photography. :thumbs:
 
Jayst84 said:
Horrible head for product in my experience. Mine broke and I replaced it with a geared head. Best thing ever, even more useful if shooting product where small adjustments are necessary.
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I've got the same tripod set up (exactly) as the poster mentioned.

Whilst I can find fault in it - I wouldn't call it terrible or horrible. For someone starting out (as I am) it's a perfectly decent bit of kit.

Maybe you had a bad version, as I like that head. For a beginner its easy to adjust and it pretty versatile. And I've abused mine and it's not broken - so it's certainly not made of cheese.
 
supersammy said:
I've got the same tripod set up (exactly) as the poster mentioned.

Whilst I can find fault in it - I wouldn't call it terrible or horrible. For someone starting out (as I am) it's a perfectly decent bit of kit.

Maybe you had a bad version, as I like that head. For a beginner its easy to adjust and it pretty versatile. And I've abused mine and it's not broken - so it's certainly not made of cheese.
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Mine broke because I beat the crap out of it, I wasn't saying that was a fault with the head.

It's a perfectly nice head for what it is, but what it is not, is designed for product or architecture photography (or anything else requiring very accurate and possibly repeatable adjustments).

As I said, I used the exact same set up myself for years and was quite happy with it - when using it for the situations it was designed for.
 
Jayst84 said:
Mine broke because I beat the crap out of it, I wasn't saying that was a fault with the head.

It's a perfectly nice head for what it is, but what it is not, is designed for product or architecture photography (or anything else requiring very accurate and possibly repeatable adjustments).

As I said, I used the exact same set up myself for years and was quite happy with it - when using it for the situations it was designed for.
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You are probably correct. I've never used a geared head so could not comment. For what I do it's perfect. It can take some abuse and at a push if you loosen the screws you can use it for panning. However it's a budgetish tripod so won't be at pro standards.
 
Thank you very much to everyone for the valuable replies. After this discussion I've got a lot of ideas, also a couple of lenses suggested by Phill and Darrell. I'll have a look at those two lenses and see if they are appropriate for me to go with.
 
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